The Human Animal Bond Research Institute’s 2026 benchmark survey found growing awareness of the health benefits of pets is tied to rising pet ownership and to pet care decisions, including nutrition.
October 20, 2026
lokalsportessen | Pixabay.com
A 2026 HABRI survey found that 74% of Americans own at least one pet, with 98% of pet owners reporting health benefits including reduced stress, decreased depression, and less loneliness. The survey shows a cultural shift toward pet ownership, with 83% of Americans believing public spaces should be pet-friendly and 89% of all Americans either owning a pet or wanting one.
74% of Americans own pets, and another 15% intend to get one, totaling 89% who have or want a pet
98% of pet owners report at least one health benefit, with awareness of 18 different pet health benefits on average
Most recognized benefits include easing loneliness (92%), reducing depression (92%), and reducing stress (88%)
83% of Americans believe public spaces should be pet-friendly, and 81% would buy from pet-friendly businesses
Pet owners with strong bonds are more likely to maintain preventive care (94% have veterinarians vs. 86% of weaker-bond owners)
The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) released results of its 2026 Human-Animal Bond Benchmark Survey, finding that 74% of Americans own at least one pet and another 15% intend to get one.
The survey found that 98% of pet owners reported at least one health benefit from pet ownership, and 62% of all Americans, including both pet owners and non-pet owners, have had a conversation about the health benefits of pets. In addition, 97% of all Americans said they are aware of at least one research-backed health benefit of pet ownership.
Pet owners also reported more pets per household, with 64% reporting multi-pet households. The survey measured an average of three pets per household across all pet types and an average of 2.2 pets per household when counting only dogs and cats.
“Nine in 10 Americans either have a pet or want one, driven by the understanding that the bonds we share with our pets are good for our health,” said Steven Feldman, president of HABRI. “HABRI’s data provides evidence of a cultural tipping point — even those that don’t own pets understand their benefits and want communities and businesses to support pet ownership.”
Among all Americans, 83% said public spaces should be pet friendly, 81% said they would be more likely to buy products and services from pet-friendly businesses and 80% said there should be fewer restrictions on pets in rental housing.
Awareness of health benefits
The average American is aware of 18 different health benefits of pets, compared with 12 in 2021, when HABRI last conducted the survey. The most widely recognized benefits were easing loneliness (92%), reducing depression (92%), reducing stress (88%) and helping people cope with difficult life situations (87%).
Effects on pet care
Among current pet owners, 94% agreed that knowledge of the research on the health benefits of pets makes them more likely to spend more time with their pets, and 91% agreed it makes them more likely to maintain their pets’ health, including regular checkups with a veterinarian. In addition, 88% said this knowledge makes them more likely to provide their pets with high-quality nutrition, and 91% said it makes them more likely to take better care of their pets overall.
Pet owners with the strongest bonds were more likely to have a veterinarian (94% vs. 86%) and to keep up with preventive care such as vaccinations (84% vs. 77%).
Future pet owners
The 15% of Americans who plan to get a pet cited companionship (87%), emotional support (74%), less loneliness (71%), better mental health (68%) and better physical health (55%) as motivations. Among parents, 77% said their children wanted pets.
Among respondents who planned to get a pet in the next six months, 81% had discussed the health benefits of pets and 73% said someone had recommended they get a pet for improved health.
Future pet owners said they intend to acquire dogs (79%), cats (38%), fish (11%), small animals (10%) and birds (2%). Current pet owners who intend to add another pet expressed interest in acquiring dogs (58%), cats (54%), fish (11%), birds (7%) and small animals (6%).
Half of all Americans said they were interested in fostering pets, and 37% of future pet owners said they would consider fostering to see whether a specific pet is a good fit for them.
Barriers to pet ownership
Among potential pet owners, 29% said they were worried about finding pet-friendly housing, and 27% of potential pet owners who rent cited housing restrictions as a reason they do not have a pet. Among current pet owners who rent, 31% reported housing-related challenges and 14% said they had changed housing in order to get a pet.
Future pet owners also cited the overall cost of pet ownership (37%) as a barrier, while 36% said they are waiting until the time is right to get a pet. In addition, 52% of future pet owners said they were worried about the emotional toll of leaving their pets for an extended period, and 33% said they were concerned about balancing pet care with work and other responsibilities.
The survey found that preparation by future pet owners, including researching the type of pet and the lifetime cost of pet ownership, was associated with an easier transition after getting a pet. Once owners have a pet, regular contact with a veterinarian was closely associated with pet owner success, according to the survey.
“HABRI is showing how deeply the human-animal bond is woven into our lives, which is why we need to help ensure that the benefits are available to all,” Feldman said. “The survey points to clear ways we can better support that bond, including making society more pet-inclusive and helping new and existing pet owners to prepare for and enjoy an enriching life with pets.”
